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Pick three stars of Bruins-Hurricanes

Print | Comments () Posted by Matt Pepin, Boston.com Staff January 19, 2011 07:47 AM

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So if I'm Carolina's Eric Staal, who was named one of two captains who will pick the teams for the NHL All-Star Game Jan. 30, I'm giving serious consideration to making Bruins goalie Tim Thomas my No. 1 choice.

Staal certainly got to see Thomas up close the last two nights, during which Thomas backstopped the Bruins to a pair of victories over a solid Hurricanes team. Of course, a goalie in the all-star game is in a no-win situation because of all the firepower in the lineups, and the final score could hit double-digits both ways.

But Thomas has been that good, and it's worth saying: Who in the NHL has meant more to his team?

The kicker for Staal is that Carolina goalie Cam Ward is making his first all-star appearance, so Staal, Carolina's team captain, has to pick him or risk mutiny in the locker room. Especially with the game in Raleigh, NC.

But Thomas outplayed Ward, and is leading the NHL in several goalie stat categories. Tough spot for Staal.

The official three stars picked at last night's 3-2 Bruins victory were 1. Thomas; 2. Mark Recchi; 3. Tuomo Ruutu.

Vote for your three stars below.